Should National Guard members help beautify the streets of DC?
That was the question posed by officials to residents in Southeast Tuesday evening.
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (ANC) in 8B voted to formally accept the invitation from the National Guard to help them beautify their neighborhood, as picking up trash and other projects to improve the appearance.
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Some people think it’s a waste, while others say it’s necessary.
“I think it shows the human side,” Johncie Cherry said. “That’s a way to build relationships.”
“Cleaning up is good, but DPW [Department of Public Works] does that,” Roshelle King said. “The National Guard shouldn’t be doing that.”
Both women were inside the ANC meeting at the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) 7th District on Alabama Avenue, Southeast.
The D.C. National Guard’s director, Marcus Hunt, is a Ward 8 resident and spoke at the event.
“We hear comments that say ‘go home.’ Sir, ma’am, this is my home,” Hunt said to the crowd.
Task Force Beautification is his department, as opposed to Task Force Safety.
In Task Force Beautification, unarmed guard members participate in clean-up projects around the city, including one that took place in Southeast on September 13. It was partly organized by ANC Joseph Johnson.
“I mean, we have a lot of overgrown trees, excessive trash, illegal dumping,” Johnson told 7News’ Lianna Golden. He says 27 bags of trash were collected during the clean-up.
“Do you believe this is the best use for them in your district?” Golden asked.
“In my opinion, I would say yes. And if there’s more that they can do, we open to possibly exploring opportunity there as well,” Johnson replied.
King believes the guard could help “beautify” the streets in other ways.
“They can come and help get the people off my street. Beautification is getting people off the sidewalk that’s selling drugs,” King said. “They can come stand over there and make sure that no drugs sales is done instead of cleaning up.”
Cherry, however, welcomes their presence to the neighborhood.
“As far as the safety, they have an entity that can address that. But for beautification, people take more pride when they see a clean environment, you know. So hopefully, it increases pride,” Cherry said.
As of Sept. 6, the White House said Task Force Beautification has cleared 1,015 bags of trash, spread 744 cubic yards of mulch, removed five truckloads of plant waste, cleared 6.7 miles of roadway, and painted 270 feet of fencing.
A second clean-up is organized for Sept. 20, at 10 a.m. Neighbors are meeting at MPD’s 7th District.
Below is a copy of the invitation Hunt sent ANCs on September 8:
Dear Commissioners,
As a proud Ward 8 resident, three-generation Washingtonian, and lifelong resident of our city, I know firsthand the importance of caring for the neighborhoods we call home. In addition to serving as Director, I am also a Civil Engineer in the DC National Guard—and it’s both an honor and a responsibility to ensure our Guard remains deeply connected to the community we serve.
That’s why I’m reaching out to request your help in identifying projects or initiatives where the DCNG can stand alongside ANC commissioners and residents on neighborhood beautification efforts. Our Soldiers are not only members of the Guard—they are also our neighbors, living and raising families right here in the District.
While our ability to support painting is limited, our teams are well positioned to contribute manpower for clean-up and improvement projects. Most importantly, we want to do this work together with the community—building relationships and strengthening the bond between the Guard and the community we proudly serve. I will also be reaching out to local groups such as churches and civic associations to expand participation and impact.
I welcome your ideas and look forward to partnering on initiatives that highlight the pride, resilience, and strength of our neighborhoods.